Black Horde: War Horn (Book 1) Read online

  Silence..., a deadly silence dominates around. Ilimael dismounted down from his high deer with widely grown horns like the roots of a big tree, turned up wide in the air; he stepped deep on the plains of Merren Rannalla ( land near the sea), now soaked with blood like a sponge. Sun intimidated by bloody struggle got dressed in heavy black clouds, it pale light was cut by a petty rain that quick as a playful child had gathered in streams and red puddles. Plain in noon grown in bodies, hundreds of corpses infested the earth; the battle was over. Orcs had been defeated by the elves of the black forest. It was a bloody battle...

  Ilimael steps carefully, exhausted as if calculated every move in mind, still smiling; His face was streaked with warm raindrops and his hair unwind like a peacock tail in the breeze coming from the sea. He jab his sword deep into the earth and the sticky mud of the plain had received a sword and surrounded like a cobweb imitating a strange game of love.

  -I want water, said with a harsh tone,

  A young rushed elf, brought a brimming bottle of cold water from the secret springs of the Kautominta (the citadel of elves in the black forest) water reached the prince, but the reaction was not what was expected .... Ilimael was watching thoughtfully at the horizon, his blue eyes were looking for something that cannot be found, cannot be touched. He forgot about the water, he looked to his comrades who lay slain by the enemies, to the plains in the noon, to the sea;

  - Report someone, said with monotone voice

  -213 dead, majesty, 36 wounded, more than twice the losses in the previous attack of orcs, said Kassel, one of the captains of the elves forces.

  -Something happened, fixing his eyes to Guono-mur's lands (island populated by orcs) said Ilimael, something attracts these orcs to Kautominta, they do not want to understand that we never will give forest and grab water from servant hands.

  -Your Dad, your majesty...

  -Do not speak to me about my father, broke the prince the one who dared to speak to him, my father is living in peace there in the forest and here we fight, we lose our friends and brothers, we, we, we," cried indignantly Ilimael. My father did not want to understand that orcs become a danger, we rejected them 3 times in this year and we should spoil their plans till is not too late.

  -King, majesty, has managed to keep the peace and welfare by wisdom in these lands, has sought to avoid wars, only to keep the sons and fathers at home.

  - I know, replied ferocious with menacing voice Ilimael ,but peace today here has come to an end, orcs become more and more each time, and day when we will be more few in number and I am afraid that plain will be our grave. Orcs have not recently stepped into the lands beyond the sea, and if they do so this means that something calls them here…

  Ilimael without to finish his sentence had been interrupted by a voice heard from far away.

  -Majesty, majesty , a familiar voice resound in the quiet of the plain. A envoy elf had emerged from the crowd of soldiers gathered around the prince, in his hand he held an envelope sealed with red wax and the emblem of the Black Forest, after a sign of respect letter had been handed over to the prince:

  -It’s from the king, your majesty

  - What has happened, king knows that we are in the mission to guard the borders of our kingdom and that we get back to the Kautominta over 2 full moons, said Ilimael;

  -Majesty, I just execute orders ,answered the elf and with a sign of respect disappear in the crowd.

  Carefully Ilimael broke down the seal, unrolled letter and began to read. He read silently, but his lips were making chaotic movements as though wishing to make the words heard to all, after a few seconds of silence prince broke the letter and said:

  -Kessel we are going home now, you have two hours to gather the bodies of our fallen brothers, we will get them back home, to Frey, for the sake of Alheim and eternal life.

  Dead silence of the plains had been pierced by the authorizing shout of the captain Kessel.

  -Soldiers, gather death bodies , gather the weapons, we go home.

  The preparations for the main beam headlights do not took a long time, in less than two hours, group moved from the site of the remaining. The plain remain alone again, shrouded in smoke of burning orcs. The string of marching elves had adventured toward the horizon in the direction of forests. Their figures grew smaller until they had vanished in the distance.

  Elves were moving fast, they travel large distances without more days to rest, so in two days they were at the gates of Kautominta.

  The great gates worked in solid wood of the older trees from the species of gray elms, were fortified with heavy metal, tissue himself in wood, by the best craftsmen of the place, they opened slowly with enormous noise, cause they opened very rarely, once a few months, when was the need to get out or to enter a larger number of elves. Thus elves were using other gates and lower inputs built into the city walls to get out from their placement.

  When the group of soldiers arrived home, it was a cold winter afternoon, the winter was coming and the work inside the city was in full swing.

  Elvish city lay hidden somewhere in the woods among oaks, fir trees and elms. The yellow of the autumn make from Kautominta a very picturesque place, very loved by its population. Kautominta was more a fortified town than a city, was one of the oldest elves settlements, and no elf could not appoint or could remember when draws its origin, but they knew that the first white elves have laid the foundations of the current existence. On the whole perimeter of the city had been raised a high wall of approximately 6 meters and made for security and standby mode as far as a tower was placed at a distance of 50 meters throughout the city. Kautominta was sitting on the highest point of the woods, an inaccessible, studded with granite boulders, heavy with long and sharp peaks, which in seconds can tear large pieces of meat of those who trying to transverse them without knowing any way. Elves called him ,,the hill of the eagles” and they very rarely tried to shout across, however elves sharpness went to the emergence of a lot of secret paths and roads to and from the city, thus avoiding the hill. North wall of the city had been built on the edge of a 70 meters deep cliff, and on its bottom had found shelter a not too deep river, but with cold and crystalline water. Despite the power and settlement strategic location, elves not only once showed bravery defending their town and homes, because Kautominta from ancient times had become a city coveted by all peoples from Sur-Manar (big continent).

  Ilimael arrived in front of the royal house in an later hour, he command soldiers to rest a few days, to visit their families and to begin to make their supplies, because they will start as soon as they can to road beyond the woods.

  Ilimael was the eldest son of the black forest elves king, Mitry, after elves data he was a high elf, even higher than most elves, blond-haired, a solar blond; prime of life, after elves calendars, he was about 176 years and was the head of the royal guard of eight years. His supple body always was hiding in royal armor, but after it, had found peace a sensuous body. His ardent character made from Ilimael a skilled and feared warrior even by many of his elves, is to know that elves do not were known with the feeling of fear. He had fight in many small fights and was very well prepared in the art of war, techniques and strategies of attack and defense, he had been entrusted with a group of 500 soldiers from the royal guard:100 archers, 200 ground soldiers and 200 deer riders. The prince was in the prime of life, after elves calendars, he was about 176 years and was the head of the royal guard for eight years.

  Prince entered into the royal apartments, the wide corridors illuminated by the light of a virgin moon were fill by the noise from prince steps. It taken some time to reach the room, sustained by his slowly walk, he get to his bedroom. Ilimael opened the door and entered
into the room with a prolonged exhalation of relief. He was not married, that’s why in the room as usual he had not found anyone, the sad candle lights watching carefully to the prince, Ilimael removed his hard armor and the shoes. On the room wall the whole process of undressing turned into pale light of candles, into a bizarre game of shadows and light, a war of white and black.

  On the table were waiting for the prince, fresh fruits and vegetables, collected from gardens of the city, but appetizing array of colors slowly lost interest of his majesty, despite the time spent away from the royal tables.

  His hard head like an avalanche fell hard on soft bed, sleep stolen him immediately, without letting some time for plans and prince Ilimael in the pale lights of night soared on “Lamtuumer's” wings(warm wind from the sea), he fly in sleep beyond Sur-Manar, as a vulture on air currents and looking deep to the earth risks. He slept much, more than would allow a prince, sweating a lot during sleep, the prince was dreaming about still not started war and about the danger that has not yet given any sign. He was awakened by a slight kick in the door, kick that betray a finite gentle hand, a perfect symbiosis of meat and wood, resulting in a sweet “knock-knock”. Ilimael wince from sudden noise and his hands automatically reached the sword placed in the evening near his bed.

  -Who's, said Ilimael, while raised and try to cover his body with some clothes.

  -Ilimael, I am, Bhelemer.

  -Come in, my sweet.

  Not even finished the sentence, because the door opened at ease as a mast in the sea and in the room with rush steps entered a slim lady, thin like a rose in full bloom dressed in a light coat of white elves fabric that betrayed all she’s femininity. She embrace Ilimael with so much passion that you could say that this is the last time she sees him, Bhelemer kisses him playful on the cheek and said with a revile voice:

  -Brother I thought that I not going to see you again,

  -Oh you start this theme again, I said and I repeat again: I will be always with you, loving reproached Ilimael,

  -I know, but some days ago, I listened to the discussion in the hall of wars between father and a soil, can not remember his name, and he said that you prepare for an invasion of orcs and I was worried because I know what kind of enemies you had to fight.

  -Please, Bhelemer, how do you know who are the orcs? Black forests have not seen orcs from the times of Naruin (grandfather of Ilimael), that is about 300 years ago, so…

  -So, I know who they are, step in Bhelemer, even I have not seen them and I do not want to see them in future, mother told me about them that they're hideous children of darkness, who do not know the laws and which should be forever imprisoned.

  -Oh, Bhelemer, if would be so, I would not worry, but I feel that our fate grabbed another way these days, the way on wich ...the prince was interrupted by a tight hug of his sister,

  - I do not care about them, you must do not ever go away from me, whispered she in his ear, I am very glad that you came back alive and well and I came to tell you that you are welcome in the royal hall, go, all want to see you again.

  Ilimael and Bhelemer had left the bedroom and headed in a perfect family style toward the conference room of kings.

  King’s Hall was one of the most important halls of Kautominta, its walls were endowed with large picture of elves battles, with the portraits of city great kings and with views that makes you froze, the unseen beauty of black forests. Here royals were discussing and prepare daily activity of the city and here finally were given the biggest elves feasts. The room was full of elves, prominent elves from the city, generals, historians, writers, royal family and other important elves in the city life. The room was delimited in two by a long table carved in elm that gave the impression of a massive ponderosity to the hall. On the table were present various dishes prepared thoroughly for the return of prince back home. This view was overshadowed by the greatness of King Mitry, who sat at the head table like a vulture that oversee his nest somewhere from the heaven, comfortably installed in a high throne carved in granite brought from foot of the city and encrusted with stones of a blood divine red dight with a pair of huge antlers.

  Image of Ilimael entering into the room went to a series of positive reactions. King had risen from his seat like a green tree in the middle of winter, in his right hand he was holding a glass of white wine, crystalline and the left one he breaks into sign of welcome to his son. After his movements, entire hall stood up and filled with bustle, sounds and whispers.

  -I am glad to see you, Ilimael, my son, defender of our home and for you who bring peace to the land of our nation, I raise my glass and say welcome back home, King had finished his speech sipping a little wine from the glass. The hall resonate in voices: Welcome back, glad to see you…

  The answer appeared without delay:

  -I am glad, my king, my father, to find you healthy, while with hasty step he headed to the King,

  As a sign of mutual respect, he bowed his head and embraced the kind.

  -Father, I have bad news, told the prince near the king ear.

  -Not now my son, now I'm glad that you have returned home from your mission, please take seat at the table, replied the king in the same royal manner.

  The dominant noise in the hall has been murdered by the fierce voice of the King:

  - Refectory must begin!

  Hall petrifaction in quietly, elves had taken their place at the royal table, the silence pierced only a few waiters in a hurry, that loaded with dishes and drinks the full table. The table fallen prey to elves hunger, all taste the dainties, Ilimael sat to the right of the kind, starving homesickness, rushed taste, but in a manner full of royal manner . Slowly, slowly the solemn atmosphere give away, from a king sing hall was filled with a fine flute music accompanied by a harp. The banquet became increasingly more familiar and now most of the guests at the table had combined in discussions and debates: about the city, forest, wine and deer, about food and music, about Ilimael and king, about Frey and Alheim, but nobody, none of those who were current with what happened with Ilimael not have the courage to remember about them, about orcs, even if there were elves that could not abstains, but all remained silent.

  In all, the painting of table Ilimael finished to ate and was sipping wine, relaxed, feeling the warmth of home and safety of the forest. He was thinking of that he should leave soon and this time for longer time, about the woods, the places where he grew up, about his sister, the king, sipping slowly the cold wine. His imaginary process was interrupted by a warm touch of Bhelemer, that approached she’s lips to prince ears and said:

  -Please, I want to talk to you tonight, I saw visions again and I'm afraid that they may became real,

  - All right, sister, he covered she’s head with his big palm and kissed her on the forehead; do not worry, I am home, said the prince.

  After several hours of discussion, music and wine, with a final speech of the king, the banquet was over. All the elves leaved the hall, in which started cleaning work, forasmuch as elves are big amatory of order and ideal cleanliness. The king disappear into one of the corridors of the castle. Ilimael remaining in the hall, was watching to the battles in details painted on the walls of the hall, and suddenly felt a heavy breath back and said:

  -I miss you, old man, especially your advice, ending the phrase, he turned back.

  In front of him stood an old elf, with a staff of lime in his right hand, it was Teladril, former general of elves armies, from the time of Naruin, the only alive elf, who fought in the last of the two wars against the orcs, who witnessed the rise of the prison walls of Dorgarrd , located far away in the land of Iron Plains, he was a skillful fighter with a lot of merits and mighty facts. Teladril was his teacher and mentor and he remaining till present, this old elf occupies a prominent position in the hierarchy of black forest elves and his image after his death was to be carved forever in the hall of kings, beside the great warriors of elves nation.

  Ilimael embrace his hand and beaten the old elf on t
he back with the palm in sign of respect:

  -I am glad to see you, master, you have remained as strong as I left you, said prince jokingly,

  -Do not flatter , young prince, however you will not escape the punishment, the old man replied,

  -Should I be punished, wondering spoke Ilimael?,

  -Elves attacking orcs in the open plain, unseen!, Ilimael, this contradicts all my counsel, had criticized Teladril,

  -Tsss, with his finger on his lips in sign of silence, old man is not the place for such discussions, let's go master in a quite place,

  -Don't tell me, your majesty, that I am wrong, forgive me for my boldness, but you do foolish things,

  -Yes, I understand that since I felt your cold breath near my head, but now I would like to go somewhere away from other ears, I have some questions without answers and I would like to find them, said Ilimael and gestured general to follow him.

  The road was short, they had taken into one of the corridors leading to the south wing of the castle where were placed gyms and warehouses. There lived Teladril, in a small room, because even till present he occupies the post of mentor and coach of young elves warriors.

  When they seen themselves alone in Teladril room, Ilimael start the dialogue:

  -Teladril, I do not know what happens but I do not feel comfortable, I have a bad feeling, this year we won 3 groups of orcs, they were not numerous, however, and so they created enough problems for us.

  -Yeah young prince, it seems a bad sign!

  -What are looking orcs here, have they forgotten what happened, they do not remember those 2 bloody wars?, said the prince while filled 2 cups of wine,your cup old man, and tell me, maybe you know why orcs came so far, asked Ilimael and handed the cup of wine to his mentor,

  -I'm sorry your majesty, but I can only give a negative answer, only you, Ilimael, son of Mitry, you need and you have to find the answer, the answer that seems to me will bring, only harm to your majesty, replied humbly Teladril. Small groups of orcs always gave prowls to black forest, but your father, the king has not always attracted importance to them and let things run according to the march of time,